A Different Perspective

This past summer I did something that I have always dreamed of...I traveled to Europe with a friend, and I swear that I am forever changed. The way of life over there is so different from life in the states in so many ways. My favorite country that I visited was Sweeden. Not only is it very modern and clean, but it is extremely environmentally conscious. They have recycling programs that put ours to shame. There is no smog, no pollution in the air, and very little trash on the side of the road.
Sweeden is known to many as being advanced in their effort to "go green" and also their great social programs. Rumor has it, that when a family has a new baby, the woman is supposed to take at least 6 months off from her job to relax and settle into motherhood. It is also encouraged for one parent to stay home with the baby, with the financial support of the government! This got me thinking (and I may be being way to analytical here) but, when people are more relaxed in life, offered more support, won't they be more inclined to live healthier lives? Think about it. There are probably two factors in life that I would safely say are universal to human happiness; health and family. If you are content with your family and your home-life, you are more apt to be happy. If you are happy, you are (arguably) healthier. If you are happy and healthy and feeling at ease with the world, then maybe you will treat the world good. So that is my theory. Sometimes a different perspective is all that you need to make a big change, and I believe that my new "green" apartment will be a small step in the direction I want to take toward living a healthier more relaxed life.

A Walk in the Park...

Do you ever feel like you are always indoors? I sure do! I spend all day in my office, and don't get me wrong, I love my job, but I am always inside. Sometimes I forget what season it is because it is always a comfortable 70 degrees inside at all times. I remember as a kid, walking through the park with my parents and having a picnic. I used to roll around on the grass without a care in my mind. Did I ever think of what was on that very grass that I was sprawled out on? No! What freaks me out nowadays, is that pesticides and fertilizers are all over most public places on the lawns. People can have their opinions on these chemicals, and I am sure that most will call me a worry-wort, but I would definitely think twice about being so carefree as I was as a child. I recently learned that once construction is completed at Parkside Commons, there is a plan to build a park next to it. This park is just what the neighborhood needs, in fact, what neighborhood would not want a park? The coolest thing about this park though, is that it will adhere to the pledge to stay "green" and the grass will be some of the cleanest grass around. I absolutely cannot wait until I can come home and head outside my apartment to relax and be a kid again and roll around in the grass. My neighbors may think I am a little bit weird, but at least I am worry free, and isn't that what makes life more of a "walk in the park?"

This town is a hidden gem...

Chelsea is so underrated! I never realized how close Chelsea is to Boston. I mean, I can literally be on the Tobin bridge within minutes of pulling away from Parkside Commons. This is going to be awesome when my friends come from out of town to visit me, especially with having the city so close by. I wandered down Stockton St. and found quite a few options to eat, and shop. There is a Home Depot right next door, which I am sure will be very helpful once I am ready to move in. Also, a Tedeschi convenience store , Papa Gino's, and I hear that they are building a Chili's too. Another cool thing about this town, is that it is SO close to the water! I had this misconception that to live near water, you need to live in Boston's North End or Back Bay, but Chelsea is actually a waterfront city. I just need the weather to get a little warmer before I explore the waterfront in depth!

Construction the Green Way?

So, I am happy to say that my apartment is being constructed as we speak, and I am so excited! As you all know, I am what you would call a "green" individual, and since I am moving into a "green" building I was curious to find out what it really means. Here are some things I found out about Parkside Commons that I thought was interesting (and easy to understand!)

• The carpets and paint being used in the construction are low "VOC"...which means "volatile organic compounds." The fact that they are low in these is a good thing because it means less toxins in the air.



• The toilets are dual flush toilets. Okay, don't laugh! What this means is that when you use the toilet you can flush it with less water, when you don't need as much water...okay, you get it. But think about it, it really makes a lot of sense!



• There will be no smoking allowed in the building! I can't tell you how happy this makes me, because I have lived in some places and my neighbor smoked inside the apartment and it ALWAYS smelled like smoke in the hallways and would occasionally make its stinky way under my door. This building being smoke free with literally be a breath of fresh air.